Photo by Joe Fletcher

Photo by Joe Fletcher

WHAT MAKES VILLA TERRA GREEN? 1. Rammed Earth and PISE Walls Beyond it’s beautiful qualities and “Old World” look, the rammed earth and PISE walls (pneumatically impacted stabilized earth) drastically reduce the use of trees for the initial wall framing lumber. And because this “Earth Structure” will far outlast any wood frame building, trees are again saved many times over, creating the foundation for the true model of sustainability. We have created a house that will essentially last forever, instead of having to be rebuilt every 50 to 75 years. The 18” thick PISE walls and concrete floors also provide thermal mass, an integral part of the passive solar design of the house. These features help keep the house naturally cooler in summer and retaining heat in winter, greatly reducing the heating and cooling loads and energy use. 2. High Content Fly Ash Concrete Foundation Use of high content (25%) fly ash (industrial waste byproduct) in place of Portland Cement results in reduction of energy consumption and green house gas emissions associated with Portland cement production (second only to petroleum in terms of carbon dioxide emissions). 3. Reclaimed Plumbing Fixtures All lavatory sinks and tubs were bought from salvage yards (tub is reportedly from the Jack Benny house in Hollywood). Reclaimed Carrara marble fountain has been made into the powder room sink. 4. Natural Daylighting Use of numerous skylights and high transom windows to reduce electrical lighting loads during the day. Natural daylighting also has documented benefits on mood, productivity, and enjoyment of the space. 5. Photo Voltaic Solar Panels Use of PV solar electric generation system to reduce electrical grid consumption, and bi-directional meter sends power back to the grid when it is needed most, on hot summer afternoons. 6. Hydronic Radiant Heat Floor Use of hydronic radiant floor heating system saves energy, is more efficient for residential heating, is more comfortable for inhabitants, and promotes superior indoor air quality over forced air systems. 7. Natural/Passive Ventilation Use of operable skylights operable high windows and ceiling fans, creates a natural convection current, thereby eliminating the need for an air conditioning system. 8. Passive Solar Design Use of extensive east and south facing glass, proper overhangs, high interior mass, deciduous grape vines on appropriately placed trellises, to passively heat the home in winter, and protect the house from unnecessary heat gain in summer. 9. Reclaimed Lumber - Douglas fir ceiling beams reclaimed from the Town & Country Village Shopping Center (now Santana Row) in San Jose. - Douglas fir ceiling decking reclaimed from the 118 year old Notre Dame High School in downtown San Jose. TJI joists reclaimed from the “Millenium Man” movie set in Alameda used for floor and roof framing. Redwood ceiling beams reclaimed from a Los Altos cabana/trellis. 10. Extensive Use of Other Reclaimed Materials Two antique reclaimed European stone fireplace mantles grace the family room and master bedroom fireplaces. Interior doors with glass knobs reclaimed from the original house located at the property. Two large terraces utilize used brick salvaged from at least 15 different locations. Courtyard fountain is tiled using recycled and restored ceramic tiles from a 1928 California Colonial house in Los Altos. Cabinet lumber from original house used for closet shelving. Plywood from crates that the windows and doors were delivered in were used to create garage shear walls. Foundation forms were salvaged and rip cut for use as interior stud walls. Garage doors were salvaged from a remodel project in Mountain View. 11. Ground Source Heat Pump - Ground source heat pump uses geothermal energy to heat the house and domestic water, greatly reducing natural gas and fossil fuel consumption. 12. Low VOC Paint Clay Plaster Wall Finishes VOC-free interior paint and stain finishes promotes healthy indoor air quality, reduces exacerbation of respiratory ailments such as asthma and lung cancer. Extensive use of American Clay Plaster integral color wall finish eliminates need for painted walls. 13. High Efficiency Windows Use of energy efficient dual pane thermal glazing with “Low e” coating at all doors and windows reduces heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter, cutting energy use. 14. Engineered Structural Lumber Extensive use of engineered lumber for structural framing and sheathing reduces cutting of old growth forests, and encourages use of “crop lumber”. 15. FSC Certified Mill Work Extensive use of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified sustainable lumber products for cabinetry, hardwood flooring, trim, etc. further protects the environment through third party monitoring and certification of the entire supply chain. 16. Cotton Insulation Formaldehyde-free cotton insulation made from recycled blue jeans used extensively for attic insulation. photography by Frank Paul Perez

Mowlem& Co: Virtuoso kitchen This award-winning kitchen by Julia Brown effortlessly combines the classic with the contemporary, through the application of thoughtful styling and a clever use of colour. The timeless framed, shaker-style furniture is hand-painted in Farrow & Ball’s Railings, making a striking contrast with use of a Caesarstone worktop in raw concrete to the island unit and the beautiful Carrara Gioia marble on the splashback. There’s an industrial quality to the chocolate bronze metal handles that are recessed into the furniture doors, and the Siemens ovens are discreetly integrated to the island, which is raised on robust legs for a nod to the chic freestanding look. The design maximises both working space and opportunities for social interaction, with storage optimised by the extra height wall units that take advantage of the period property’s high ceilings. Pendant lamps, stylish stools and a herringbone white-washed Oak wooden floor add the perfect finishing touches.

Patric Johansson & Myrica Bergqvist

Hunter Coon - True Homes Photography

After extensive research online, Steve felt that the architectural style of Paradise Homes, with their clean lines and unique 'pavilion' concept, was compatible with the couple's wish for a luxurious sense of space together with more intimate private 'zones'. After checking the BSA builders' database and finding Paradise Home's record was entirely blemish-free, he called Chief Designer Anthony Jaensch. After a preliminary chat, Steve realised they were on the same wavelength and that was that! Being a long, narrow block on a steep, sloping site meant building was going to be tricky. Steve and Laura wanted to take advantage of the site's northern aspect, breezes, and mature surrounding trees. Their brief also specified the home take full advantage of the elevation in the street, and let the beauty of the leafy St Lucia environs flow inside, giving them discrete spaces with the flexibility of a second semi-independent living area. Anthony was able to meet their brief in spades, creating clever building solutions and optimising the block for orientation. Paradise Homes handled the design process very efficiently, even though most of the designing occurred with the clients overseas in Hong Kong, as Steve explains, "Anthony was superb in this process. He has an eye for detail, as you'd expect of a designer of his experience, but also a vision for how surfaces will synthesise in the finished product." John Downs

Photo Credit: Lincoln Barbour Photo. Interior Design: Kim Hagstette, Maven Interiors

Russell Abraham

Restored Dining Room

Brigida González. www.brigidagonzalez.de

The bedroom is papered in a vegetal design from Schumacher with wood furnishings. A four poster bed fits snugly into a Tudor niche in the wall.

Tony Giammarino